While the media tends to focus on the negatives when it comes to children playing computer games and using technology, it’s important to remember that there are plenty of benefits, too. It all comes down to moderation and how we teach impressionable young minds to properly use what can be exciting educational tools when approached mindfully.
Can Computer Games Be Educational?
Video games aren’t just the reward your child gets when they finish their homework. The right games can offer engaging educational experiences that work as just one supporting element alongside classroom learning.
The Potential Advantages of Playing Computer Games
Learning games can help inspire creativity, encourage problem-solving and prompt children to be more engaged in a particular topic or school subject. One of the keys is supporting children with the right games that offer a good blend of fun and learning!
Remember that keeping an eye on your child’s screen time is also incredibly important – technology can still be a distraction from other forms of learning. Educational computer games are just one tool, but overindulging them will prevent your child from appreciating their potential benefits.
1. Playing Computer Games Improves Coordination
When both adults and children play computer games, it may just seem like they are mindlessly staring at a screen for hours on end, not engaging their brains, but this is not the case.
The actions and activities that computer games provide on-screen promote mental stimulation. Playing a computer game requires co-ordination skills for audial, visual and physical movement, which requires a lot of brain power. Certain games may require your child to practice their quick thinking skills and develop faster reflexing – all good things for promoting general brain health!
2. Playing Computer Games Improves Attention and Concentration
It may not be a surprise that computer games improve concentration and attention if you’ve ever tried to evoke either of these skills out of someone in the middle of a computer game. The entranced state we enter when we are playing a computer game is similar to that of watching a movie or reading a book.
Computer games capture player’s attention for long periods of time by offering incentives, such as achieving certain objectives or getting through a storyline. Combine this with learning-based tasks and you’re ont0 a winner
3. Playing Computer Games Improves the Brains Speed
Playing computer games offers the brain multiple sources of stimulation, such as audial and visual. This is especially true of ‘brain training games.’
Some research suggests that playing brain training computer games can actually help players process stimulators faster than those who don’t play computer games frequently.
4. Playing Computer Games Improves Problem-Solving Skills
The majority of computer games have a definitive objective, and with computer games, certain rules and restrictions are involved. These rules and restrictions frequently force players to problem solve and think about alternative routes or moves.
Acquiring these skills isn’t only relative to a computer game, but is translated into real life, helping those who play be able to problem solve effectively in real life.
5. Playing Computer Games Improves Social Skills
Playing computer games may seem like an isolated activity, but with technology and gadgets now, we have entered a whole new level of interaction. You can play online computer games all over the world, which means you also interact with people all over the world. Games often include microphones while playing now, which means there is constant communication between gaming peers. This is a great ground for forming not only new friendships, but for also strengthening current friendships as games also often act as common ground for particular age groups.
6. Playing Computer Games Enhances Multitasking Skills
Computer games come in a variety of different categories. Much like music and film, certain computer games will enhance multitasking skills. For example, an action game requires you to be observant in the game, and check for different obstacles at any different point. There is so much information that needs to be checked frequently, such as time left on the game, energy levels or an oncoming attack. Players tend to manage all of these and, in turn, improve their multi-tasking skills. As with most other skills learnt while gaming, these are transferable skills that can be utilised in real life.
As with all media, games should be age appropriate, and it’s important to appreciate that while there are plenty of benefits, you may still need to enforce rules about playing games.
As an independent primary school in Devon, we understand how important it is to strike a good balance between classroom learning, engaging games and extracurriculars in the great outdoors.
We’re located enough to be located in close proximity to the sea, which offers it own host of benefits when it comes to getting children engaged in their learning.
